The Swamp of Death

Radio Reading in 5 parts over 5 consecutive daysIt aired as "Book of the Week"

Broadcast Date

BBC Radio 4 on Aug 16 - 20 2004

Runtime

Status

Not currently broadcasting

Synopsis

In 1889, Reginald Birchall, a well-bred young Englishman, advertises in the London papers for a partner to share in his Canadian horse farm. Two young men of good family - Douglas Pelly and Frederick Benwell -- sign on. But when the troubled journey to Canada stalls inexplicably in Niagara Falls and Benwell mysteriously disappears. Pelly thinks Birchall might be trying to kill him. Then Benwell's frozen body turns up near Woodstock, Ontario, with two bullets in the back of his head.

Abridged by Doreen Estall Based on the novel by Rebecca Gowers

Ep1 In February 1890, three young gentlemen set out from England for the backwoods of Canada, each hoping to make his fortune. Within days, one of the men is found murdered in a Canadian swamp Ep2 Douglas Pelly has agreed to invest in the Canadian farm business of one Reginald Birchall. As the two men prepare to leave for Canada in February 1890, Pelly is alarmed to discover that they are to be accompanied by a strange young manEp3 It is March 1890. Three young Englishmen have come to America, in the hope of making their fortunes. Within days of arriving, one is dead and the other two are arrested for murderEp4 Reginald Birchall stands trial for the murder of Frederick Benwell. Will newspaper coverage of the case affect the course of justice?Ep 5 Reginald Birchall has been tried for the murder of Frederick Benwell. He and the international press wait to hear the jury's verdict.

Notes

The Swamp of Death was shortlisted for the 2004 CWA non-fiction Golden Dagger Award

Rebecca Gowers' original interest in writing the book was due to a family connection - Douglas Pelly was her great-grandfather. She heard an inaccurate version of the story at a family lunch and was intrigued enough to do some research. She was commissioned to write the book when she was doing a research degree at Oxford University on the way Victorian police detectives were portrayed. It took her two years to finish the book.